An instant way to make a decor statement is to add a striking work of art. This will get people talking and will also show that you appreciate the finer things in life. These days, African sculptures are very popular.
The art of sculpture in Africa goes back thousands of years. The pieces vary as greatly as the continent's many cultures. You will find realistic depictions of animals such as elephants or giraffes but you will also find abstract pieces with a spiritual meaning. Often human figures are portrayed with elongated lines and shapes and this style influenced some of the greatest artists in modern history, including Pablo Picasso.
The most commonly used medium is wood because this material is easily obtained, cheap and soft, which enables the artist to carve it with basic tools. Wood of inferior quality is sometimes colorfully painted. Often, however, artists will simply polish the finished sculpture to let the wood shine and have its color become part of the piece's beauty.
Another inexpensive and therefore popular medium is clay. However, stone is much more durable and some artists invest in quality, hard stone such as serpentine or granite. One type of stone that is commonly used is soapstone, which is quite soft and easily carved. Another advantage of soapstone is that it is available in a range of colors, including cream, lavender, yellow, red and black.
Throughout history, artists have been creating small carvings from animal bones or tusks. In Africa, elephant tusks provided a much larger base to work from and for several centuries, intricately carved ivory was a major export for African communities. These days you may have to opt for antique carvings, though, since there are now strict laws that regulate the sale of ivory.
Many people think that working in metal is a relatively new tradition in Africa. However, archaeological finds such as the golden rhinos of Mapungubwe or the bronze and copper pieces from the Niger Delta and Benin show that Africans have been creating art from metal for at least a thousand years. The early examples of metal sculpture are mainly cast pieces but contemporary artists such as Nigeria's Sokari Douglas Camp or South Africa's Giovanni Schoeman have used welding techniques to create fascinating artwork in metals such as steel.
Today's artists throughout the continent often create stunning pieces from recycled materials. Bits of wire and bottle tops or plastic beads are transformed into the figures of people, animals and birds, cars or airplanes or even transistor radios that actually work. Some sculptors such as Ethiopia's Elias Sime, Uganda's Patrick Mulondo, Cameroon's Pascale Marthine Tayou and Ghana's El Anatsui have become world renowned for their art from recycled materials but you will also find thousands of unknown artists who sell their pieces on sidewalks or at flea markets.
Art galleries around the world sell sculptures made by artists from Africa. These can be a very good investment. If you are only looking for an inexpensive piece that doesn't necessarily have to be completely unique, you will find plenty of choices at any street market in Africa's tourist hotspots.
The art of sculpture in Africa goes back thousands of years. The pieces vary as greatly as the continent's many cultures. You will find realistic depictions of animals such as elephants or giraffes but you will also find abstract pieces with a spiritual meaning. Often human figures are portrayed with elongated lines and shapes and this style influenced some of the greatest artists in modern history, including Pablo Picasso.
The most commonly used medium is wood because this material is easily obtained, cheap and soft, which enables the artist to carve it with basic tools. Wood of inferior quality is sometimes colorfully painted. Often, however, artists will simply polish the finished sculpture to let the wood shine and have its color become part of the piece's beauty.
Another inexpensive and therefore popular medium is clay. However, stone is much more durable and some artists invest in quality, hard stone such as serpentine or granite. One type of stone that is commonly used is soapstone, which is quite soft and easily carved. Another advantage of soapstone is that it is available in a range of colors, including cream, lavender, yellow, red and black.
Throughout history, artists have been creating small carvings from animal bones or tusks. In Africa, elephant tusks provided a much larger base to work from and for several centuries, intricately carved ivory was a major export for African communities. These days you may have to opt for antique carvings, though, since there are now strict laws that regulate the sale of ivory.
Many people think that working in metal is a relatively new tradition in Africa. However, archaeological finds such as the golden rhinos of Mapungubwe or the bronze and copper pieces from the Niger Delta and Benin show that Africans have been creating art from metal for at least a thousand years. The early examples of metal sculpture are mainly cast pieces but contemporary artists such as Nigeria's Sokari Douglas Camp or South Africa's Giovanni Schoeman have used welding techniques to create fascinating artwork in metals such as steel.
Today's artists throughout the continent often create stunning pieces from recycled materials. Bits of wire and bottle tops or plastic beads are transformed into the figures of people, animals and birds, cars or airplanes or even transistor radios that actually work. Some sculptors such as Ethiopia's Elias Sime, Uganda's Patrick Mulondo, Cameroon's Pascale Marthine Tayou and Ghana's El Anatsui have become world renowned for their art from recycled materials but you will also find thousands of unknown artists who sell their pieces on sidewalks or at flea markets.
Art galleries around the world sell sculptures made by artists from Africa. These can be a very good investment. If you are only looking for an inexpensive piece that doesn't necessarily have to be completely unique, you will find plenty of choices at any street market in Africa's tourist hotspots.
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Buy African sculptures via the Internet right now. Visit our online store to view our selection of sculptures at http://africanartgalleryenu.com today.
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